Description
We provide innovative, research-based, interactive online workshops for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.
Mission
We strive to give foster, adoptive and kinship parents the knowledge they need to raise children who will thrive in today's world.
History
Foster Parent College launched its online operations in 2004. It is an operating division of Northwest Media Inc. of Eugene, OR, a publisher of training materials for social services agencies. All courses for FPC are conceived and developed in-house by the Northwest Media team of researchers, educators, writers, artists, animators and programmers.
Northwest Media also produces
Vstreet.com, an online resource for teaching independent living skills to youth, and
SocialLearning.com, a clearinghouse for over 14,000 books, DVDs and games for social services professionals and caregivers.
Successes
Since its inception, FPC has developed 27 courses which have been viewed over 50,000 times in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. More than 1,000 public and private agencies accept FPC training certificates.
FPC is recommended by CASA National, the National Foster Parent Association, the National Adoption Center, and the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Our workshops are used and promoted by public and private secular and faith-based agencies and organizations.
FAQs
How is FPC funded?
Through Small Business Innovation Research grants administered through the National Institutes of Health, primarily the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Mental Health. We also are supported by unit sales.
Who is on the faculty?
Our courses are developed and taught by nationally recognized experts in child health, psychology and development, with the input of educators and social science researchers. To visit our faculty page,
CLICK HEREIn the workshops, are the panelists real foster parents?
No, to protect the privacy of foster parents we hire actors. Client confidentiality requires we create fictional scenarios to discuss, but scenarios are amalgams of real cases and situations our faculty face in their practices.
How often are new courses offered?
We produce 4 to 6 new classes each year.
How do you decide what subjects to develop courses for?
We research which challenges are of greatest concern to caregivers and develop curricula to address those challenges. Plus, we listen to and support agencies and caregivers.
How is Foster Parent College different from other online training sites?
Our courses are research-based and interactive and incorporate both visual and written components to enhance learning and retention. Parents can study at their convenience and work at their own pace to complete a course; however, they cannot receive a certificate of completion without actually doing the work. Our website management system allows caseworkers to assign and track their client's progress. We strive to ensure that real learning happens.
What about caregivers who don't have internet access?
Most of our courses are available on DVD, which are sold to agencies for use in their lending libraries and by their training staff.
Whose idea was this?
Foster Parent College is the brainchild of Lee White, president and co- founder of Northwest Media, Inc., Dr. Richard Delaney, and Dr. Caesar Pacifici.
For more information about Mr. White,
CLICK HERE
For more information about Dr. Delaney,
CLICK HERE
For more information about Dr. Pacifici,
CLICK HERE
